The question is whether President Donald Trump can end his war on Iran, even if he wants to, following his suspension of threatened strikes against Iran's power plants. This follows a period of uncertainty over whether the US and Iran have reached a point where the cost of escalating the conflict would be so severe that both they need a way out. Despite recent developments, there are many reasons for skepticism that a breakthrough is imminent. The president's erratic, contradictory rhetoric and inability to provide a consistent rationale for the war or to plan an exit strategy have undermined credibility. Some analysts believe that the president's decision to suspend strikes could result in global markets being temporarily stabilised. However, there is a sobering possibility that this method may be tested beyond its limits in the Persian Gulf.